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  Method of monitoring a dosing agent supply for treating exhaustThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070277508. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/809,315, filed on May 30, 2006. This application is related to U.S. Ser. No. (To Be Assigned), filed on Dec. 14, 2006 (GP-308227-PTE-CD), entitled, "Diesel Exhaust Control During Limp-Home Mode", and U.S. Ser. No. (To Be Assigned), filed on Dec. 14, 2006 (GP-308075-PTE-CD), entitled, "Emissions Conformance For An Exhaust After-Treatment System Having A Dosing Agent Supply". The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present invention relates to vehicle exhaust systems, and more particularly to a method of monitoring a dosing agent supply for treating exhaust of an engine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Internal combustion engines combust an air and fuel mixture to generate drive torque. The combustion process generates exhaust that is exhausted from the engine to atmosphere. The exhaust contains nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and carbon monoxide (CO) particulates. An exhaust after-treatment system treats the exhaust to reduce emissions prior to being released to atmosphere. [0004]In an exemplary exhaust after-treatment system, a dosing system injects a dosing agent (e.g., urea) into the exhaust upstream of a catalyst. The exhaust and dosing agent mixture reacts over the catalyst to reduce the level of emissions. The dosing system includes a dosing agent supply and an injector. The amount of dosing agent injected is based on the level of emissions in the exhaust. If the dosing agent supply is empty or at a low level, insufficient dosing agent is injected into the exhaust stream and emissions are not reduced as desired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005]Accordingly, the present invention provides an exhaust after-treatment system for a vehicle including a dosing agent that is selectively injected into an exhaust from a dosing agent supply. The exhaust after-treatment system includes a first module that determines a level of a dosing agent source and a second module that determines whether the vehicle is at a convenient location for replenishing the dosing agent source. A third module selectively inhibits vehicle operation if the level of the dosing agent source is below a threshold level and the vehicle is at the convenient location. [0006]In one feature, the threshold level corresponds to an empty dosing agent source. [0007]In another feature, the vehicle operation is inhibited by rendering the vehicle unable to drive. [0008]In another feature, the vehicle operation is inhibited by limiting drivability of the vehicle. [0009]In another feature, the third module discontinues inhibiting vehicle operation when the dosing agent source is replenished to raise the level above the threshold level. [0010]In another feature, the second module monitors at least one of a fuel level, an oil parameter and a maintenance flag of the vehicle to determine whether the vehicle is at the convenient location. [0011]In still another feature, the exhaust after-treatment system further includes a fourth module that indicates the level of the dosing agent source to alert a vehicle operator. [0012]In yet another feature, the exhaust after-treatment system further includes a fourth module that determines a range of the vehicle based on the level. The range indicates a distance that is travelable by the vehicle before the level is below the threshold level. [0013]Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014]The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0015]FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary vehicle system including an exhaust after-treatment system according to the present invention; [0016]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps executed by the dosing agent monitoring control of the present invention; [0017]FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps executed by dosing agent monitoring control to determine whether the vehicle system is stopped at a convenient location; and [0018]FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating exemplary modules that execute the dosing agent monitoring control and the fuel level monitoring control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Continue reading... 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